Alcee Hastings: “H.R. 1555 assigns to the FCC the regulatory functions to ensure that the Bell companies have complied with all of the…”

“H.R. 1555 assigns to the FCC the regulatory functions to ensure that the Bell companies have complied with all of the conditions that we have imposed on their entry into long distance. This bill requires the Bell companies to interconnect with their competitors and to provide them the features, functions and capabilities of the Bell companies' networks that the new entrants need to compete. The bill also contains other checks and balances to ensure that competition occurs in local and long distance growth. The Justice Department still has the role that was granted to it under the Sherman and Clayton Acts, and other antitrust laws. Their role is to enforce the antitrust laws and ensure that all companies comply with the requirements of the bill. The Department of Justice enforces the antitrust laws of this country. It is a role that they have performed well. The Department of Justice is not, and should not be, a regulating agency. It is an enforcement agency.”